The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"TX: Okay New Traffic Fines BARBARA STANELL STEPHEN WEBEL CHARLES D. BOAK, JR. SEEK SCHOOL POSTS - Above are the three candidates who seek to fill two vacancies on the School board in Johnsburg District 12. Charles Boak, Jr., and Barbara Stanell are incumbents, and Stephen Webel is seeking his first term on the board. The election at Johnsburg, as well as for McHenry, Harrison school and McHenry County college offices, will be held Saturday, April 12, with voting from noon to7 p.m. Johnsburg voting is at James Bush school. The McHenry City Council took action Monday night to change the settlement fees (fines) for non-moving traffic violations in the City. Originally, changes in the fees had been recommended by the license committee and passed at the Feb. 4 Council meeting. The changes established new fees, late foes and final notice fees which ranged between $5 and $40 depen­ ding on the violation and when they were paid. A City ordinance was also amended at this meeting to raise the minimum fine a judge could impose, if the violator went to court and was found guilty, from $5 to $30. At the next Council meeting, Feb. 20, Mayor Stanek vetoed the changes. Action on the veto was tabled and the matter surfaced again last Monday night. License committee chairman f Alderman Wieser presented an amended list of changes in the settlement fees. Alderman Wieser proposed setting the minimum fine a judge could impose and the top set­ tlement fee at $20. With the 90-day moratorium on parking meters scheduled to start June 1, Wieser said the fees for overtime and improper parking in metered areas should be left at $.50 and $3.00. For some violations, like parking in a fire lane, in front of a fire hydrant and in a handicapped parking area, the original final notice fee had been set at $40. City Attorney Bernard Narusis said that in his experience as a lawyer, some judges would hesitate at imposing a $40 fine for non-moving violations. Narusis also said the previous $30 minimum fine could cause problems. Some judges might be inclined to find the person not guilty, Narusis pointed out. "The whole idea of the ordinance is to encourage people to pay the settlement fee and not have to go to court," Narusis explained. "With a fee as high as $40, the person might get a better deal from the judge," he added. Narusis said that even at a $20 minimum fine or top final notice fee, the incentive remains for a violator to pay the settlement fee in lieu of going to court. "The violator won't have to pay court costs (about $10) and the incentive is even greater tor people to pay early," Narusis observed. The settlement fees for the various non-moving traffic offenses are as follow;s: for overtime and improper parking in metered areas, $.50 and.$3 (late fee); for parking in prohibited areas, on the wrong side of the street, obstructing traffic, leaving a motor running and parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., $5, $10 (iate) and $20 (final notice). The settlement fees for parking in a fire lane, handicapped parking area, or in front of a fire hydrant and all vehicle tag violations (Continued on page 18) MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINGE 1875 Stoarb Shnnrng t̂tospapcr 1979-- Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest VOLUME 104 NUMBER 72 FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1980 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 25' Celebrate 340 Years Development Proposal To Board Of County A development proposal for 125 acres lying south of Route 120 at the Chapel HiQ road intersection was presented to the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals. ° The petitioner, listed as Adrian Finkelstein, beneficial owner under a trust at the American National Trust Co., seeks rezoning for three parcels: two under B-3 general business use and one, con­ sisting of 101.6 acres, R-l residential use for half acre lots. Being proposed is a shopping area, initially -of the convenience type, and possibly 143 residential lot#: Charles A. Mionske, sut^^or arffl Mtfd planner, from Crystal Lake speaking for the owner, said there was no schedule for development of the land. This would be a matter of economics. He pointed out. however, that the route of the long discussed FAP 420, an expressway proposed for this area, lies only a half mile away. There were no objectors at the hearing, although several adjoining property owners asked questions and expressed concerns about surface water disposal and the fate of existing road easements. The city of McHenry also indicated its wish to see provision made for the extension of Chapel Hill road south, with at least an 80-foot and possibly a 100- foot right-of-way. Under the questioning of Attorney Dan Curran of Joslyn and Green, Mion­ ske. testifying for the petitioner, pointed out that the land in question was a mile and a quarter from both McHenry and Lakemoor and was in the planning jurisdiction of four municipalities. It lay north and adjacent to Moraine Hills State park and west of the Kent Acres subdivision. was existing B-l business zoning and Usage nearby along Route 120. Parcel one, adjacent to the highway, contained 9.6 acres and is zoned B-l. Parcel Two lies just south of this and is zoned A-l agriculture use. Rezoning to B-3 business is requested for both parcels. McHenry city had ob­ jected to some uses under this classification as being too severe, Mionske con­ ceded, and indicated that the owners would restrict what would be permitted to protect the value of their development. He noted that the proposed uses fit exactly the projections on the county land plan map. And the concern for preservation of prime agricultural land would be met because only about 40 percent of the acreage was classed as prime farmland. This particular farm he described as "marginal". Mionske described the terrain as gently rolling with gravel underlayment and no wet parts. Two small areas had problem soils and would be set aside for water retention areas. He predicted that the development and shopping area would add 20 percent the already loaded Route 120 and the intersection but claimed that proper channelization would take care of the load. He said that conversations the city indicated that any extension of water or sewer installations to the area would be at least five or six years away. But the soil was suitable for septics and the ground water was good at 135 feet for wells, he believed. He said possibly the shopping area could get needed water from the system at Eastwood Manor across the highway. About the effect on McHenry's school, Mionske said his information was that District 15's schools served 2,928 pupils and were predicted to decline in population. District 156, (high school) he said was only at 75 percent of capacity. For the approximately 23 acres for business use Mionske said they were thinking initially of con­ venience stores which would not compete with the established area larger shopping units, and they did not have any commitments from possible businesses. Bill Ross, who said he lived in the Kent subdivision, asked, if the development would change the topography and road easements in the area. With the large number of buildings possible he was concerned with water runoff. "This is a big plot to go in at one time", he noted. Robert H. Wohnrade, Wonder Lake, an engineer testifying for the petitioner, explained there were two drainage divides on the land that would send the water west and south toward the river and north and east toward the highway. The elevation range on the property was 30 feet and the soils under 75 percent of the tract were satisfactory without any restrictions and the balance could be engineered out of restric­ tions due to slopes. Less than 3 percent would be un- buiidable. Pat Mikus, associate planner for the McHenry County Planning depart­ ment, testified to the ZBA that the proposal showed little or no conflict with the county plan and that county records showed that 46 percent of the farm in question was classified as prime agricultural land. ---Curran made his final plea to the ZBA for approval of the rezoning for what he described as a "viable economic venture". ZBA chairman Ed Schweiger said the board would make its decision at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. April 22. in Room 101 of the county courthouse Observers were advised that ' this was only the first step for the development, that there would be ample op portunity for input when hearings were held by the Planning commission on proposed plats. School District 15 R isn't uncommon for a small type celebration in honor of a World War 1 veteran's birthday at the local barracks. But it's unusual enough when four celebrate the same day to have a very special cake. Reba Owen and Agnes Magnuson were in charge of arrangements for a party held during the regular monthly meeting of the WWI barracks last Thursday in the Legion home. On hand to celebrate their April birthdays were Clyde Blackwell, left, 90; Fred Schoewer and Paul Leubscher, both 84; and Floyd Cootey, 82. Together, their ages total 340 years. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Budget Cuts In Progress The board of Elementary School District 15 okayed the proposed elimination of 38 Review Road Projects As we look out on snow covering roofs and tree branches, Monday's 70 temperatures seem far removed from this April touch of Winter. Could it have been yesterday that our eyes were attracted to kite after kite- all defunct--tangled messes of paper, wood and string caught fast in wires and trees? Was it possible the fellow down the street was actually spreading grass seed on his laWn? Or could it be he was only spreading bird seed for the bewildered feathered creatures to find when Mother Nature unleashed her wicked humor in the form of snowflakes? And were those really boats we spied near sundown Monday* displaying a restlessness on shore just waiting to be hauled a few feet to the watery home for which they were intended? What about those ducks that sauntered across the yard to snatch pieces of bread we threw their way? Instinct must have told them it was. indeed, Spring in spite of the snow tor never once did they venture the two Mocks from the river for a handout of corn in Winter. These are the signs we like to believe, the signs of custom and nature that There are other signs, and sometimes they tend to make humans wish the protective covering of snow would remain. These are the times when the landscape is laid bare to the careless habits of polluters who rid themselves of all kinds of (Continued on page 18) When officials gathered for the annual town meeting last Wednesday evening and found the doors to the V.F.W. clubhouse locked, the meeting was moved out of the rain to the township offices on Main street, at the suggestion of Albert Adams, township clerk. Notice of the location change was posted. Once there, Clarence Regner, the township road commissioner, reported that TAMMY POWERS JULLIETTE LYNN BARNES neve* our 'ru^t SEEK TITLE-The first two candidates for the title of Miss McHenry are Tammy Powers and Jalliette Lynn Barnes, both students at McHenry West campus. Tammy.47, Is a member «f the school chorus and International club. She enjoys needlecrafts for a hobby. Julllette. also 17, collects miniatures and draws for a pastime. She belongs to both the band and chsnu and also the lataraatiaoa! club. The deadline for entering the IMS Miss McHenry contest Is April 22. Queen contest registration forms appear ihiehni In this issue. road projects for the up­ coming year were to include the widening and resur­ facing of one mile of Ridge road, at a cost of $65,340. The project has already been let. Other projects include the reconstruction of the in­ tersection of Wilmot and Ringwood roads, resur­ facing in both the Kent Acres and Worthmore subdivisions and rematting of Fox Lake road from Ringwood to Route 12. A resolution was also passed which eliminated the special bridge fund and transferred the $10,116.66 balance to the general road and bridge fund. Township Assessor Walter Dean reported balances of $12,943.01 in the general assistance fund, of $6,819.16 in the Township Treasurer's fund, of $27,984.04 in the General Road and Bridge fund, of $10,116.66 in the Special Bridge fund, and of $94,580.64 in the Permanent Hard Road fund. At the end of the meeting. Dean moved to hold the next meeting at the township offices, 3922 Main street in McHenry. The motion passed unanimously. SCHOOL ELECTIONS Elections to name board members in all local school districts will be held Saturday, April 12, with voting from noon to 7 p.m Polling precincts appeared in Wednesday's issue of the Plutujt'iikt. teacher aides and five custodians for the coming school year to meet budget reduction targets at the regular meeting Tuesday, April 8. In further retren­ chment, the board approved holding the extra-curricular payroll to $7,448--down from $20,280 for the current year. Although the specifics have not been worked out, some athletic programs are to be abandoned, the board in­ dicated. To take some pressure off the elementary staff, Dr. Richard Farmer, superin­ tendent urged that nine three-hour aide positions be established for the elementary buildings (Valley View, Edgebrook and Hilltop) for playground and lunchroom duties for the year 1980-81. The hours served would be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and would cover playground and lunchroom activities and would also involve afternoon recesses. Farmer asked the board to specify that the aides presently being eliminated be given first chance at the new positions. After the board approved the reduction in employment, he said he did not have the opportunity to talk with all employees involved because details of the plan had not been worked out until the Easter vacation. But he assured the board members this would be taken care of as soon as possible. The three special education aides are not affected by this action reduction, the board was advised Board members found difficulty in determining what reductions should be made in the extra-curricular programs as some urged that they try to keep most programs intact, possibly increasing the amount retained for payroll to $9,600. Member Karen Salman pointed out^ that the elimination of coed track would affect 191 participants and she wondered if this was appropriate when wrestling, involving ony 44 boys, was retained. However. Farmer said there was the question of number of teachers used, which in the case of track would be three and for most other sports only one (Continued on page 18) Bennett Named Fireman Of Year Recently Chris Bennett, assistant chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection district, was elected Fireman of the Year by the McHenry County Firemen's association. This award is presented annually to the county fireman who has best served his community through fire department activities. Shown above. Chief Glenn Peterson presents the award to Bennett, at right. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD W